variants
or counter-attacks
as in attacks
an attack made to counter an enemy's attack
suddenly the tide of battle turned, and the rebels, who had been falling back, made a furious counterattack
Synonyms & Similar Words
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Recent Examples of counterattacks
Enzo Fernández’s influence in midfield has grown as Chelsea seeks to control matches with possession and tempo, though their defensive lapses remain a concern against quick counterattacks.
—
Ben Verbrugge, MSNBC Newsweek, 25 Oct. 2025
For its part, the Ukrainian military has claimed to have recovered some 70 square miles of territory in the Pokrovsk area over the past two months, in a series of counterattacks.
—Tim Lister, CNN Money, 18 Oct. 2025
Ukraine’s use of Tomahawks — subsonic cruise missiles that can strike targets from 1,000 miles away —would give the country the ability to ramp up its counterattacks on Russia.
—Lillian Rizzo, CNBC, 13 Oct. 2025
That’s in part due to throwing all the chips in the middle and not being ready for counterattacks.
—Braidon Nourse, Denver Post, 12 Sep. 2025
When a partner continually feels trapped behind excuses or counterattacks, the original frustration then hardens into resentment.
—Mark Travers, Forbes.com, 7 Sep. 2025
Sure, there were attacks and counterattacks and waves of soldiers traversing across No Man’s Land.
—Michael Jerome Plunkett
september 5, Literary Hub, 5 Sep. 2025
But in the Oscar race, momentum invites counterattacks.
—Clayton Davis, Variety, 1 Sep. 2025
Colonial militias attempted periodic raids, but historical records report that they were met with rugged terrain, booby traps and counterattacks.
—Justin Dunnavant, The Conversation, 27 Aug. 2025
Ben Verbrugge, MSNBC Newsweek, 25 Oct. 2025
For its part, the Ukrainian military has claimed to have recovered some 70 square miles of territory in the Pokrovsk area over the past two months, in a series of counterattacks.
—Tim Lister, CNN Money, 18 Oct. 2025
Ukraine’s use of Tomahawks — subsonic cruise missiles that can strike targets from 1,000 miles away —would give the country the ability to ramp up its counterattacks on Russia.
—Lillian Rizzo, CNBC, 13 Oct. 2025
That’s in part due to throwing all the chips in the middle and not being ready for counterattacks.
—Braidon Nourse, Denver Post, 12 Sep. 2025
When a partner continually feels trapped behind excuses or counterattacks, the original frustration then hardens into resentment.
—Mark Travers, Forbes.com, 7 Sep. 2025
Sure, there were attacks and counterattacks and waves of soldiers traversing across No Man’s Land.
—Michael Jerome Plunkett
september 5, Literary Hub, 5 Sep. 2025
But in the Oscar race, momentum invites counterattacks.
—Clayton Davis, Variety, 1 Sep. 2025
Colonial militias attempted periodic raids, but historical records report that they were met with rugged terrain, booby traps and counterattacks.
—Justin Dunnavant, The Conversation, 27 Aug. 2025
Recent Examples of Synonyms for counterattacks
Noun
-
Matthew and Christina were both in critical condition following the shooting, their family said in a GoFundMe set up immediately after the attacks.—
Samira Asma-Sadeque,
PEOPLE,
31 Oct. 2025
-
Long forward passes in transition are common, rather than expansive, intricate attacks.—
Liam Tharme,
New York Times,
31 Oct. 2025
Noun
-
Wednesday’s ballistic missile launches by North Korea were the first of their kind since the country on May 8 tested short-range systems that simulated nuclear counterstrikes against US and South Korean forces.—
CNN Money,
CNN Money,
22 Oct. 2025
Noun
-
Then, Ukraine reclaimed significant ground in Kharkiv and Kherson oblasts during counteroffensives.—
Brendan Cole,
MSNBC Newsweek,
24 Sep. 2025
-
Initial Russian gains occurred primarily in the early months of the war, with Ukrainian counteroffensives regaining significant areas in Kharkiv and Kherson provinces.—
Katya Soldak,
Forbes.com,
19 Aug. 2025
Cite this Entry
“Counterattacks.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/counterattacks. Accessed 3 Nov. 2025.
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